CHESTERVILLE — Selectmen have authorized bid specifications for a transfer station building and for cemetery mowing.

They also approved a three-year contract with Androscoggin Bank to allow online payments of taxes, vehicle registrations, dog licenses and other financial transactions. 

Last month, voters approved spending up to $5,000 for the transfer station building, $4,000 for cemetery mowing and the bank contract.

The board charged its chairman, Tyler Jenness, with writing up bid specs for a 10- by 12-foot transfer station building to house an office and storage.

Station attendant Robert Jones presented drawings for a 10- by 10-foot building with four windows and a door, a sheet metal roof and an insulated floor. Hammond Lumber had given a quote of $4,700 for the materials.

The board chose a larger building because there would be less waste of building materials, potentially lowering costs. 

Michael Webber of Livermore Falls, who has done the cemetery mowing since 2012, said he mows two or three times a week at the beginning of the season and less frequently later, depending on the weather.

The board voted to have Selectman Edward Hastings write specs for the cemetery mowing bid and to oversee advertising for bids.

Regarding the bank contract, Lena Hann, vice president of government banking services, said Androscoggin Bank offers several products for municipalities at no charge. Chesterville will earn 0.3 percent interest on deposits, and employees and town volunteers are eligible for free checking accounts.

“We do a profitability analysis,” Hann said. “We have the same technology as bigger banks, just not as much of it. Our overhead is lower.”

Hann said online services should be available by July 1. Residents using credit cards with the system will be charged 2.75 percent of the total transaction with a $1.95 minimum. VISA, Master Card, Discover and American Express will be accepted. A fee schedule will be posted at the Town Office.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

Lena Hann, vice president of government banking services for Androscoggin Bank, reads a list of services to Chesterville selectmen at their meeting Thursday night. The board signed a three-year contract that will allow online payments of taxes, vehicle registrations, dog licenses and other financial transactions. 

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